This is an undated photo of Miss West Virginia 1977 Patricia "Patsy" Ramsey. JonBenet started doing pageants because she wanted to be like her mother John Ramsey said.

This is an undated photo of Miss West Virginia 1977 Patricia "Patsy" Ramsey. JonBenet started doing pageants because she wanted to be like her mother John Ramsey said.

Photo: AP

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Patsy and John Ramsey in 2000. The couple were briefly suspects in the investigation, but were cleared.

Patsy and John Ramsey in 2000. The couple were briefly suspects in the investigation, but were cleared.

Photo: RIC FELD / AP

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This file image made from an undated family video shows JonBenet Ramsey performing during a beauty pageant.

This file image made from an undated family video shows JonBenet Ramsey performing during a beauty pageant.

Photo: Anonymous / AP

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This undated family handout photo shows JonBenet Ramsey.

This undated family handout photo shows JonBenet Ramsey.

Photo: AP

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JonBenet Ramsey’s dad calls Toddlers and Tiaras ‘disturbing’

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John Ramsey, father to pint-sized beauty queen JonBenet, has a new book out, “The Other Side of Suffering,” and recently he went on ABC News to talk about it. He now says he regrets letting his little girl participate in beauty pageants and speculates the exposure may have led to her death.

JonBenet was just six years old when she was strangled to death in her family’s home in Boulder, Colo. The case garnered widespread media attention in part because of the photos available of the little girl participating in beauty pageants such as those featured in “Toddlers and Tiaras.”

Ramsey says he has not watched an entire episode of TLC’s hit show, but calls the clips he has seen “disturbing.” From the story:

Ramsey said he remembers his little girl in a parade, just days before JonBenet was found killed in the basement of the family’s Boulder, Colo., home on Dec. 26, 1996.

“Patsy had her sitting atop a friend’s convertible in the Christmas parade waving at the people lining the streets,” Ramsey recalled. “Patsy’s mother later told me that a strange man approached the car during the parade and it made her uncomfortable. I think about these things now and it makes me cringe. We were so naïve. I now believe with all my heart that it’s not a good idea to put your child on public display.”

Patsy Ramsey was a beauty queen herself and JonBenet very much wanted to take part in pageants after seeing her mother on stage at a pageant reunion, John Ramsey said, but letting his daughter compete in pageants is something he regrets.

“Only because- that possibly might have drawn attention to us,” he said. “I don’t know. But- I think for- for advice to a parent is just recognize that- regardless of where you live, there- there could be evil around you. And- and don’t be naive about it. And keep your kids protected.”

Patsy Ramsey died of ovarian cancer in 2006. The book, “The Other Side of Suffering,” talks about how John Ramsey’s Christian faith helped him get through the tragedy in his life.

Parents, do you think beauty pageants give small children too much exposure?